FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THEATRE ARIEL
Theatre Ariel is Philadelphia’s only professional Jewish theatre company. Below are answers to the most common questions we receive about performances, accessibility, mission, donations, and how to get involved.
ABOUT THEATRE ARIEL
What is Theatre Ariel? Theatre Ariel is Philadelphia’s premiere professional Jewish theatre company, founded in 1990. We produce plays, readings and special events that explore Jewish identity, history, culture, and contemporary life.
What kind of theatre does Theatre Ariel produce? We present new and established shows. We produce full productions in our Mainstage Series. Our Salon Ariel is an intimate performance series of playreadings where actors perform at music stands. Every performance of our Mainstage and Salon series is followed by a post-show discussion with the audience and artists.
I'm Jew"-ish" but not religious. Will I be welcome at Theatre Ariel? Absolutely! We invite everyone, regardless of practice, denomination, or affiliation. We never proselytize and you don’t need to know any prayers or traditions to enjoy our shows or be part of our community! In fact, you’ll possibly even see characters on stage who are Jewish just like you are…
Where is Theatre Ariel located? Theatre Ariel is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We perform in venues across the city and surrounding area rather than in a single dedicated theatre building.
Do I need to be Jewish to attend a performance? Not at all! We believe the universal can be found in the specific. There might be one or two “inside” jokes or traditions that you may miss, but all of our shows are accessible to anyone and everyone and many of our audience members are not Jewish.
ATTENDING PERFORMANCES
Where do Theatre Ariel performances take place? We partner with local venues, cultural centers, theaters, synagogues, and community spaces throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. Venue details are listed on each event page.
Is there assigned seating? Most of our venues offer general admission seating. If a production has reserved seating, it will be noted on the ticketing page.
Are your performances accessible? We partner with venues that are wheelchair accessible whenever possible. For questions about accessibility, email info@theatreariel.org.
How do I buy tickets? Tickets can be purchased through our website at TheatreAriel.org.
How long are your performances? Most performances run 75–90 minutes, with some closer to two hours (including an intermission). All shows include an optional post-show discussion afterward. Salon Ariel performances also have refreshments after the discussion for audiences to mingle and eat!
CONTENT & MISSION
What makes Theatre Ariel different from other theatre companies? We are the only professional theatre company in Philadelphia dedicated exclusively to telling stories of the Jewish experience, preserving Jewish culture, and engaging audiences through conversation and community.
Do you only produce plays by Jewish playwrights? Most of our playwrights are Jewish, but some non-Jewish playwrights write pieces with Jewish characters or themes that align with our mission.
Does Theatre Ariel produce new works? Yes. We frequently premiere new plays and commission works by playwrights.
What does "Jewish Theatre" mean at Theatre Ariel? For us, Jewish theatre means storytelling rooted in Jewish history, values, identity, humor, and lived experience. Our plays range from biblical reinterpretations to modern-day stories about family, identity, and diaspora life. We consider a play “Jewish” if the Jewishness is somehow integral to the story, the characters, or the action of the piece.
What is Salon Ariel? Salon Ariel is an intimate concert reading series where professional actors read a script at music stands in front of an audience — no sets, no costumes — followed by discussion. It is designed to feel like theatre in a living room. Some audience members have called it “theatre without distractions”.
COMMUNITY & SUPPORT
How can I support Theatre Ariel? You can donate, volunteer, become a subscriber, join our mailing list, or attend performances. Donations are tax-deductible and support every aspect of our work. Visit www.theatreariel.org/donate to support our work.
Can I host a Theatre Ariel performance at my venue? Yes. We regularly tour performances to synagogues, schools, libraries, and community centers. We can bring an upcoming Salon to you or check out our Theatre Ariel On Tour page for information on talks and other touring performances. Email info@theatreariel.org for details.
How do I join the mailing list? Visit TheatreAriel.org and enter your email in the footer or pop-up form. Subscribers receive performance announcements, behind-the-scenes updates, and special invitations.
Do you offer student or group discounts? Yes. Discounts are available for students, theatre industry members, and groups of ten or more. Visit the event ticketing page or email info@theatreariel.org for details.
Are donations to Theatre Ariel tax-deductible? Yes. Theatre Ariel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization. Donation receipts are provided automatically.